LIBERTY TWP. — Emily Lafferty left her mark on more than just a bunch of softballs at Lakota East High School.
The hard-hitting, harder-working senior hit a school-record six home runs in 2009, and she also continued to make huge strides defensively as a catcher, a position she just started playing two years ago.
And because of her impressive performances both at the plate and behind it, Lafferty has been named the JournalNews Butler County Softball Position Player of the Year.
“I think the biggest thing for me is that before the Class of 2009, Lakota East consistently finished under .500,” Lafferty said. “But we brought back three district titles and we were able to win in the regionals our junior year, going farther than any team in school history.
“To know that I was a part of turning the program around is what I’ll remember most.”
In addition to the county-leading six homers, which gave her the school’s career record of eight, Lafferty batted .395 with three triples, 26 RBIs and 26 runs scored. She also led the county in on-base percentage at .535 and in walks with 21, most of which were intentional.
“It was frustrating, but it showed that the teams respected my hitting,” Lafferty said of all the walks. “And knowing (Alexa Thompson) was hitting behind me was a good feeling.
“We always joked that we had the Manny-Big Papi thing going on,” Lafferty added, referring to the one-two punch the Boston Red Sox used to win a pair of World Championships.
Opponents feared Lafferty’s arm almost as much as her bat.
“Very few people in the league tried to steal on her,” LEHS coach Steve Castner said. “Defensively she has stepped up her game a bunch. She really worked hard behind the plate, not just to keep runners from advancing, but in the way she blocked balls in the dirt and in how she went after foul balls.”
Laffety will continue her career in college at George Mason.
Area coaches agree with Castner that Lafferty has a bright future ahead of her at the next level.
But they couldn’t disagree more when Castner says, “I’m sad to see her go.”
